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Winston Churchill #4
Churchill's Triumph
'We can do what no men have ever done - build a world freed from the tyranny of all war'
YALTA, 4 February 1945: As the Second World War ends, the three most powerful men on earth - Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin - gather to thrash out the details of peace. But these men, supposedly allies, will lie, cheat and deceive each other as they struggle to reach agreement and secure their places in history.
Meanwhile, a Polish soldier risks everything to find his daughter in the ruins of Warsaw. He is a man already betrayed by Hitler and Stalin. Now his fate lies in Churchill's ageing hands. The two men become involved in an extraordinary battle for survival, as the destiny of a small girl and half the world lies in the balance.
YALTA, 4 February 1945: As the Second World War ends, the three most powerful men on earth - Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin - gather to thrash out the details of peace. But these men, supposedly allies, will lie, cheat and deceive each other as they struggle to reach agreement and secure their places in history.
Meanwhile, a Polish soldier risks everything to find his daughter in the ruins of Warsaw. He is a man already betrayed by Hitler and Stalin. Now his fate lies in Churchill's ageing hands. The two men become involved in an extraordinary battle for survival, as the destiny of a small girl and half the world lies in the balance.
471 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
30 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Michael Dobbs
101 books372 followersMichael Dobbs was born on the same day, in the same hour as Prince Charles in 1948.
He is the son of nurseryman Eric and his wife Eileen Dobbs and was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1971 he moved to the United States.
In the USA he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, which he funded by a job as feature writer for the Boston Globe, where he worked as an editorial assistant and political feature writer from 1971 to 1975.
He graduated in 1975 with an M.A., M.A.L.D., and PhD in nuclear defence studies. His doctoral thesis was published as SALT on the Dragon's Tail. In 2007 he returned to Tufts where he gave the Alumni Salutation.
After gaining his PhD he returned to England and began working in London for the Conservative Party. He was an advisor to the then leader of the Opposition, Margaret Thatcher, from 1977 to 1979 and from 1979 to 1981 he was a Conservative MP speechwriter.
He served as a Government Special Advisor from 1981 to 1986 and he survived the Brighton Bombing in 1984 at the Conservative Party Conference. He was the Conservative Party Chief of Staff from 1986 to 1987.
He was considered a masterful political operator and was called "Westminster’s baby-faced hit man", by The Guardian in 1987. In the John Major government, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1994 to 1995, after which he retired from politics.
Outside of politics, he worked at Saatchi & Saatchi as Deputy Advertising Chairman from 1983 to 1986 and was Director of Worldwide Corporate Communications at the company from 1987 to 1988. He became Deputy Chairman, working directly under Maurice Saatchi from 1988 to 1991.
From 1991 to 1998 he was a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and also wrote column for the Daily Express. From 1998 to 2001 he hosted the current affairs program Despatch Box on BBC television and has also been a radio presenter.
Nowadays he is best known as the bestselling author of 17 novels (up to 2010), such as 'The Turning Point', about Winston Churchill and Guy Burgess, and 'A Family Affair', about the last days of Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street, and also a number of non-fiction works.
His writing career began in 1989 with the publication of 'House of Cards', the first in what would become a trilogy of political thrillers with Francis Urquhart as the central character. 'House of Cards' was followed by 'To Play the King' in 1992 and 'The Final Cut' in 1994.
Each of the three novels was adapted by the BBC into a miniseries and, with Ian Richardson playiing a starring role, the trilogy received a combined 14 BAFTA nominations and two BAFTA wins and was voted the 84th Best British Show in History.
His 2004 novel 'Winston’s War' was shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book of the Year Award. He was the winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award for best historical novel in 2008 and in 2001 was shortlisted for the C4 Political Novel of the Year. He has also been a judge of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award and lectures at dozens of literary and fundraising events each year.
Anthony Howard of The Times said “Dobbs is following in a respectable tradition. Shakespeare, Walter Scott, even Tolstoy, all used historical events as the framework for their writings. And, unlike some of their distinguished works, Dobbs's novel is, in fact, astonishingly historically accurate."
He is now a full time writer and divides his time between London and Wiltshire, where he says that he lives near a church and a pub! He is married with four children.
Gerry Wolstenholme
October 2010
He is sometimes confused with American author Michael Dobbs, who is a distant relative of his and also an author of historical books (e.g. "Saboteurs - The Nazi Raid on America").
He is the son of nurseryman Eric and his wife Eileen Dobbs and was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1971 he moved to the United States.
In the USA he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, which he funded by a job as feature writer for the Boston Globe, where he worked as an editorial assistant and political feature writer from 1971 to 1975.
He graduated in 1975 with an M.A., M.A.L.D., and PhD in nuclear defence studies. His doctoral thesis was published as SALT on the Dragon's Tail. In 2007 he returned to Tufts where he gave the Alumni Salutation.
After gaining his PhD he returned to England and began working in London for the Conservative Party. He was an advisor to the then leader of the Opposition, Margaret Thatcher, from 1977 to 1979 and from 1979 to 1981 he was a Conservative MP speechwriter.
He served as a Government Special Advisor from 1981 to 1986 and he survived the Brighton Bombing in 1984 at the Conservative Party Conference. He was the Conservative Party Chief of Staff from 1986 to 1987.
He was considered a masterful political operator and was called "Westminster’s baby-faced hit man", by The Guardian in 1987. In the John Major government, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1994 to 1995, after which he retired from politics.
Outside of politics, he worked at Saatchi & Saatchi as Deputy Advertising Chairman from 1983 to 1986 and was Director of Worldwide Corporate Communications at the company from 1987 to 1988. He became Deputy Chairman, working directly under Maurice Saatchi from 1988 to 1991.
From 1991 to 1998 he was a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and also wrote column for the Daily Express. From 1998 to 2001 he hosted the current affairs program Despatch Box on BBC television and has also been a radio presenter.
Nowadays he is best known as the bestselling author of 17 novels (up to 2010), such as 'The Turning Point', about Winston Churchill and Guy Burgess, and 'A Family Affair', about the last days of Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street, and also a number of non-fiction works.
His writing career began in 1989 with the publication of 'House of Cards', the first in what would become a trilogy of political thrillers with Francis Urquhart as the central character. 'House of Cards' was followed by 'To Play the King' in 1992 and 'The Final Cut' in 1994.
Each of the three novels was adapted by the BBC into a miniseries and, with Ian Richardson playiing a starring role, the trilogy received a combined 14 BAFTA nominations and two BAFTA wins and was voted the 84th Best British Show in History.
His 2004 novel 'Winston’s War' was shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book of the Year Award. He was the winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award for best historical novel in 2008 and in 2001 was shortlisted for the C4 Political Novel of the Year. He has also been a judge of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award and lectures at dozens of literary and fundraising events each year.
Anthony Howard of The Times said “Dobbs is following in a respectable tradition. Shakespeare, Walter Scott, even Tolstoy, all used historical events as the framework for their writings. And, unlike some of their distinguished works, Dobbs's novel is, in fact, astonishingly historically accurate."
He is now a full time writer and divides his time between London and Wiltshire, where he says that he lives near a church and a pub! He is married with four children.
Gerry Wolstenholme
October 2010
He is sometimes confused with American author Michael Dobbs, who is a distant relative of his and also an author of historical books (e.g. "Saboteurs - The Nazi Raid on America").
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 19, 2017
The name of the author had attracted my attention at first. House of Cards is based on Michael Dobb’s books. I verified that this Michael Dobbs is indeed the creator of the “House of Cards” and started the book with very high expectations.
The story starts on a ship cruise in the Mediterranean in the early 1960s. Winston Churchill is a guest in the ship and has a mysterious visitor – a man from the distant past who feels betrayed by Churchill.
Then we travel back in time to February, 1945 in Soviet Crimea. The leaders of the three great powers – the US, Soviet Russia and UK - have arrived for the Yalta Conference.
I have no idea of the events that actually transpired there or any knowledge about Franklin Roosevelt or Joseph Stalin. I will only show how these individuals have been portrayed in the novel.
Roosevelt has been shown as a frail and idealist dreamer – something of a fool, who is obsessed with the creation of United Nations – his legacy which he believes will herald in an era of world peace. He is desperate to secure Russian help for the war against Japan and is easily manipulated by Stalin.
No points for guessing – Stalin the dictator and all his Russian cronies are thugs, bullies, predators and manipulators.
And of course – there is Churchill the democrat . I expected some degree of hero worship but the author has taken this to different level. He has shown Churchill as the lone voice against tyranny, the defender of human rights, the champion of justice. Oh! Churchill’s sympathies are mostly with the people of Europe – he is also concerned about the possibility of Russian aggression towards UK and thus wants stronger European nations to counter the Soviet threat. Withdrawal of US troops addsto his worries.
Churchill is a staunch imperialist and he is not going to let anybody mess with the “Empire” – he sees the British empire as a great “civilizing” force which is required to keep the natives of the colonies in check. How conveniently he brushed under the carpet the massacres, the enslavement, the brutalities carried out by the imperialists.
In real life also Churchill only had contempt for those he called the “savages” of the colonies. You can check out the internet. Millions had perished in India alone due to his barbaric policies. But, let us not go into all these.
Back to the story – my favourite character – a Polish officer – a survivor of Katyn massacre (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyn_m...). He works as a plumber under the name of Marian Nowak and seeks Churchill’s help to flee from Russia. He has to search the ruins of Warsaw for his daughter. You will end up rooting for him. I am not going to reveal anything else!
Churchill’s servant Sawyers is another interesting character.
The story also shows the brutalities inflicted on the Polish people first by the Nazis and then by the Red Army.
I enjoyed the parts where the leaders would lie, cheat and deceive each other. This is what politicians do!
Due to the author’s credentials I was expecting a lot. I would say that the book, though not wonderful, was a decent read.
The story starts on a ship cruise in the Mediterranean in the early 1960s. Winston Churchill is a guest in the ship and has a mysterious visitor – a man from the distant past who feels betrayed by Churchill.
Then we travel back in time to February, 1945 in Soviet Crimea. The leaders of the three great powers – the US, Soviet Russia and UK - have arrived for the Yalta Conference.
I have no idea of the events that actually transpired there or any knowledge about Franklin Roosevelt or Joseph Stalin. I will only show how these individuals have been portrayed in the novel.
Roosevelt has been shown as a frail and idealist dreamer – something of a fool, who is obsessed with the creation of United Nations – his legacy which he believes will herald in an era of world peace. He is desperate to secure Russian help for the war against Japan and is easily manipulated by Stalin.
No points for guessing – Stalin the dictator and all his Russian cronies are thugs, bullies, predators and manipulators.
And of course – there is Churchill the democrat . I expected some degree of hero worship but the author has taken this to different level. He has shown Churchill as the lone voice against tyranny, the defender of human rights, the champion of justice. Oh! Churchill’s sympathies are mostly with the people of Europe – he is also concerned about the possibility of Russian aggression towards UK and thus wants stronger European nations to counter the Soviet threat. Withdrawal of US troops addsto his worries.
Churchill is a staunch imperialist and he is not going to let anybody mess with the “Empire” – he sees the British empire as a great “civilizing” force which is required to keep the natives of the colonies in check. How conveniently he brushed under the carpet the massacres, the enslavement, the brutalities carried out by the imperialists.
In real life also Churchill only had contempt for those he called the “savages” of the colonies. You can check out the internet. Millions had perished in India alone due to his barbaric policies. But, let us not go into all these.
Back to the story – my favourite character – a Polish officer – a survivor of Katyn massacre (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyn_m...). He works as a plumber under the name of Marian Nowak and seeks Churchill’s help to flee from Russia. He has to search the ruins of Warsaw for his daughter. You will end up rooting for him. I am not going to reveal anything else!
Churchill’s servant Sawyers is another interesting character.
The story also shows the brutalities inflicted on the Polish people first by the Nazis and then by the Red Army.
I enjoyed the parts where the leaders would lie, cheat and deceive each other. This is what politicians do!
Due to the author’s credentials I was expecting a lot. I would say that the book, though not wonderful, was a decent read.
October 15, 2021
Read this book in 2005, and its the 4th and final volume of the wonderful Winston Churchill mini-series.
Historical details are superbly researched and interwoven within this great story at the end of WWII.
Set in 1945, and we are at the famous Conference of Yalta, with Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin at the negotiating table.
During these negotiations tensions will intensify that it will put pressure on all parties, knowing that what they will decide will the change map of the world.
It will all become a power struggle about who gets what, and Churchill's difficult relationship with his Allied Powers, Roosevelt and Stalin, will become very clear in their dealings with each other, and it will also show with decisions that will have the most global consequences in the end.
Highly recommended, for this is another formidable addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this last episode: "A Fabulous Final Triumph!"
Historical details are superbly researched and interwoven within this great story at the end of WWII.
Set in 1945, and we are at the famous Conference of Yalta, with Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin at the negotiating table.
During these negotiations tensions will intensify that it will put pressure on all parties, knowing that what they will decide will the change map of the world.
It will all become a power struggle about who gets what, and Churchill's difficult relationship with his Allied Powers, Roosevelt and Stalin, will become very clear in their dealings with each other, and it will also show with decisions that will have the most global consequences in the end.
Highly recommended, for this is another formidable addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this last episode: "A Fabulous Final Triumph!"
December 11, 2023
A novel of Betrayal
The most powerful men in the world: Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met in a Russian Resort town of Yalta, Crimea, these Allies leaders were to make important decisions regarding the future progress of the war and the postwar world. The place where they preceded to divide up Europe....the future of Germany, Eastern Europe and the United Nations...
This fictional account brings to live one of the chilling moments when the fate of Europe was decided. Mr. Dobbs takes us behind the scenes and brings us into the mind and hearts of the big three leaders. This drama traces as well the human side of the leaders and reminds us that war is about people.
Joseph Stalin’s mission is to expand the Soviet Empire while the ailing and fragile Roosevelt is willing to make compromises to bring Stalin into the Pacific campaign and Churchill, the least powerful, could not count on Roosevelt as his ally and could not tame the avaricious Russian. Reading what went on during these monumental negations was an eye opening, totally outraged by their attitude. . With their bellies full they had no regards towards the heroic struggle of millions who died and fought in the war... The statesmen fiddled while the tragedy in Poland was going on. Mr. Dobbs writes about the country with passion, transferring to his fictional village Piorun, the rape, murder and savage enforcement by the Germans and Russians. These events actually happened. His words are powerful and furiously told and compelling but he rambles a lot...
On the down side not only that the title is misleading I couldn’t find anything coming close to a triumph. We have a sub-plot: a Polish storyline that is interesting on its own but add little to nothing here. But what I found most annoying is the picture left in my mind of our supreme leaders: what was done at Yalta I am certain it still happening these days...A big party with lots of food, champagne, caviar and luxury accommodation...not to mention the extra service rendered.....
I read Mr. Dobbs before and have enjoyed his spin on history but this one written some years back left me cold and “Churchill’s Triumph” was less than enjoyable.
The most powerful men in the world: Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met in a Russian Resort town of Yalta, Crimea, these Allies leaders were to make important decisions regarding the future progress of the war and the postwar world. The place where they preceded to divide up Europe....the future of Germany, Eastern Europe and the United Nations...
This fictional account brings to live one of the chilling moments when the fate of Europe was decided. Mr. Dobbs takes us behind the scenes and brings us into the mind and hearts of the big three leaders. This drama traces as well the human side of the leaders and reminds us that war is about people.
Joseph Stalin’s mission is to expand the Soviet Empire while the ailing and fragile Roosevelt is willing to make compromises to bring Stalin into the Pacific campaign and Churchill, the least powerful, could not count on Roosevelt as his ally and could not tame the avaricious Russian. Reading what went on during these monumental negations was an eye opening, totally outraged by their attitude. . With their bellies full they had no regards towards the heroic struggle of millions who died and fought in the war... The statesmen fiddled while the tragedy in Poland was going on. Mr. Dobbs writes about the country with passion, transferring to his fictional village Piorun, the rape, murder and savage enforcement by the Germans and Russians. These events actually happened. His words are powerful and furiously told and compelling but he rambles a lot...
On the down side not only that the title is misleading I couldn’t find anything coming close to a triumph. We have a sub-plot: a Polish storyline that is interesting on its own but add little to nothing here. But what I found most annoying is the picture left in my mind of our supreme leaders: what was done at Yalta I am certain it still happening these days...A big party with lots of food, champagne, caviar and luxury accommodation...not to mention the extra service rendered.....
I read Mr. Dobbs before and have enjoyed his spin on history but this one written some years back left me cold and “Churchill’s Triumph” was less than enjoyable.
December 28, 2017
As usual with Michael Dobbs’ books about Winston Churchill, his portrayal of the man in Churchill’s Triumph is superb. His perception of the other major allied leaders, the American, Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Russian, Joseph Stalin are convincing. Drawn against the background of Yalta, in the Crimea, the story describes the events and probable background details influencing the three leaders, who had gathered between February 4th to 11th 1945 to discuss the re-organisation of Europe after the end of World War ll. The cunning of Stalin, the frailty of Roosevelt and the humanity and leadership of Churchill are well researched and woven into a novel that is a must for those interested in Winston and his influence upon world events.
April 11, 2011
This book covered so many areas of interest for me. I have always been interested in Churchill, and my father was Polish. Just to add to the interest, I currently have a Ukrainian staying with me. A novel based on well researched facts always gives such a deep feel to history. My favourite image was of the Polish Home Army emerging from the woods, all wearing old uniforms from different countries. My mother has a wonderful photo of my father in a Russian winter uniform (all white for the snow) together with a wonderful Cossack hat. He was always very proud that his was the only uniform with a bayonet hole in it (somewhat gruesome but no doubt very important for a teenager). This part of the book really brought that photo to life for me.
August 11, 2022
A very misleading title - as readers we're hard pressed to find anything resembling a triumph here, and the author seemed to find it just as difficult to come up with one. With characters that were hard to like or care for, and a sub plot that added nothing to the main story, this was a bit of a chore to read. The book would have been slightly more enjoyable if it had focused on Yalta alone. The Polish storyline, quite interesting as it was, perhaps could have been improved by being its own novel, rather than shoehorned into this one.
August 21, 2011
I had read biorgraphies of FDR and Churchill and, for the most part, the representation of each in this book was believable. And given the circumstances and timing of the Yalta conference, it is logical that Stalin could have dominated the proceedings. So I guess the basic premise(s) make sense but the writing lacks the quality of the best I have read in historical fiction. I really like Leon Uris, just as an example to show what my taste is.
August 3, 2016
22/2 - Once again I found the information about not only Churchill, but also Stalin and Roosevelt fascinating. The apparent senility of Roosevelt, the manipulation and inhumanity of Stalin. I had no idea how brutal and merciless Stalin and his army were, it’s almost a toss-up as to who was worse – Hitler or Stalin. Michael Dobbs makes the politics behind wars (a subject I thought I would find boring) an engaging, riveting subject.
May 4, 2014
An interesting idea, but Dobbs' enthusiasm for Churchill may cloud his judgement a little. However, his portrayal of Stalin as an uncouth, uneducated bully and thug seems painfully redolent of Putin and his aggressive stance on the Ukraine.
Overall, an easy read, but there's still something a bit unsatisfying about it.
Overall, an easy read, but there's still something a bit unsatisfying about it.
November 1, 2020
Personally, this book invites the reader into a fictional world, that may as well be true. With beautiful improvisations based on actual facts, the author highlighted not just the difficult challenges set against the PM of Great Britain at Yalta, but invited us into the world of Churchill's mind, where we see the real war happening - the war against the fears, bitterness, struggle for peace, and the war to find his place in the changing, chaotic world. I will strongly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in war history, and for those that need a refreshing perspective on our modern history. It brings out the monotonous, factual narratives we see in textbooks into a world filled with the colour of intimate perspective, relatability and humanity.
After reading, I feel that being a leader of a nation, country, city, community, is essentially being a leader of people, and to stand for them. It is a critical reflection of the reader to conclude that the priority to represent one’s national interests was necessarily a constituent component of a political debate, just as Churchill was a constituent member of the conference; all leaders at the conference were advocating for the best interests of their community, before reaching an agreement. Conclusively, the discussions over the course of the book highlighted the significance and importance for leaders to advocate their national interests with clarity, leading to the frustrations of facing oppositions and disagreements, and subsequently, progressing towards the hope of reaching a consensus. Advocating, representing and expressing interests of the community, especially during crucial moments, are integral responsibilities of a community leader for the people.
After reading, I feel that being a leader of a nation, country, city, community, is essentially being a leader of people, and to stand for them. It is a critical reflection of the reader to conclude that the priority to represent one’s national interests was necessarily a constituent component of a political debate, just as Churchill was a constituent member of the conference; all leaders at the conference were advocating for the best interests of their community, before reaching an agreement. Conclusively, the discussions over the course of the book highlighted the significance and importance for leaders to advocate their national interests with clarity, leading to the frustrations of facing oppositions and disagreements, and subsequently, progressing towards the hope of reaching a consensus. Advocating, representing and expressing interests of the community, especially during crucial moments, are integral responsibilities of a community leader for the people.
March 11, 2020
As someone that is not exactly invested in history and politics, Churchill's Triumph was a surprising read that exceeded my expectations for it.
Set in the backdrop of Yalta in February 1945, Churchill’s Triumph offers a glimpse into the summit that gathered the “Big Three” under the pretext of shaping post-war peace. Three of the most powerful leaders across the world had gathered, yet each served vastly different purposes. A fictional yet compelling story on how diplomacy, friendship and betrayal is intertwined, this novel brings forth many issues on community and leadership that are still relevant today, 75 years on.
An array of issues can be sieved out from this arguably simple read. These encompass ideas of empathy versus duty, human suffering, rightness, negotiations, power and many more. We learn the difficulty of making weighted decisions, the danger of using thoughtless words as weapons and to not have our identity engulfed by power and fear.
As an ex-history student, it is interesting to think how a conference filled with betrayal could be eventually perceived as a triumph years after Churchill’s death. As an individual, my greatest takeaway from this read seems to be that we too should constantly work towards achieving our greatest triumph in our capacities.
Set in the backdrop of Yalta in February 1945, Churchill’s Triumph offers a glimpse into the summit that gathered the “Big Three” under the pretext of shaping post-war peace. Three of the most powerful leaders across the world had gathered, yet each served vastly different purposes. A fictional yet compelling story on how diplomacy, friendship and betrayal is intertwined, this novel brings forth many issues on community and leadership that are still relevant today, 75 years on.
An array of issues can be sieved out from this arguably simple read. These encompass ideas of empathy versus duty, human suffering, rightness, negotiations, power and many more. We learn the difficulty of making weighted decisions, the danger of using thoughtless words as weapons and to not have our identity engulfed by power and fear.
As an ex-history student, it is interesting to think how a conference filled with betrayal could be eventually perceived as a triumph years after Churchill’s death. As an individual, my greatest takeaway from this read seems to be that we too should constantly work towards achieving our greatest triumph in our capacities.
August 6, 2018
The scene is Yalta, at a conference held near the end of WW2 with Stalin, FW Roosevelt, and Churchill. This is a summit I knew nothing about, but this book has given me a passing acquaintance with the issues and challenges they faced in their negotiations.
Winston is portrayed as an ineffective appendage, while Stalin and Roosevelt Duke it out. Roosevelt wants Stalin to agree to formation of the United Nations and will concede almost everything to get acquiesce on this point. Sadly, Roosevelt was desperately ill and was in no condition to be negotiating such serious terms which were to affect millions of people for many years to come. He died 2 weeks after the summit. Churchill did the best he could in the circumstances...well,according to this book and I have no reason to disbelieve the story as told. Churchill was adamant that Poland should be independent - after all, it is over Poland they went to war in the first place - but was voted down....Stalin was determined to have as much of Europe as he could get, and Churchill could plainly see his motives.
I found the book rather plodding, but I learned so much about the conclusion of the war and about Churchill himself that it is definitely worth 3 stars.
Winston is portrayed as an ineffective appendage, while Stalin and Roosevelt Duke it out. Roosevelt wants Stalin to agree to formation of the United Nations and will concede almost everything to get acquiesce on this point. Sadly, Roosevelt was desperately ill and was in no condition to be negotiating such serious terms which were to affect millions of people for many years to come. He died 2 weeks after the summit. Churchill did the best he could in the circumstances...well,according to this book and I have no reason to disbelieve the story as told. Churchill was adamant that Poland should be independent - after all, it is over Poland they went to war in the first place - but was voted down....Stalin was determined to have as much of Europe as he could get, and Churchill could plainly see his motives.
I found the book rather plodding, but I learned so much about the conclusion of the war and about Churchill himself that it is definitely worth 3 stars.
November 12, 2019
Churchill’s Triumph is an account of historic events that occurred within the span of the seven days in the Yalta Conference in Crimea. A tale of the three most powerful men in the world at that time, it casts the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill alongside the ailing United States President Franklin Roosevelt and pits them against the Soviet Union’s Joseph Stalin. While they strove to agree on major issues, their often-heated discussions also brought to surface the multitude of issues that plagued the communities in the war-zone. The fictional elements of the story, about the polish “plumber” Marian Nowak, as well as the accounts of the helpless in the small polish town of Piorun, further serve to highlight the challenges of their respective communities. Overall, a dramatized take on an otherwise "factual" story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2020
Communities in the 21st century are becoming more diverse, distinct, and are continually growing in numbers. The emergence of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community and the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement are good examples of such growing communities. Michael Dobbs' Churchill's triumph is an eye-opening book on leadership and decision-making at national and global levels. Dobbs provides insights on how leaders make decisions considering the different communities such as the Nazis and the Soviet Union during World War 2. With these insights, readers are able to better understand how world leaders today think and decide in the 21st century with the presence of a plethora of different communities. A great read with eye-opening insights and it's a must for anyone looking for narration on one of history's greatest moments that changed the course of the world.
August 17, 2019
Finally, we get to the end. If you're going to read this 4 part series, start at the beginning. This 4th book is the story of the Yalta conference between Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin. Of course, we know what happened, and it was hardly a triumph, except perhaps for Stalin. And then temporarily. Churchill's Triumph is an odd title since it's hard to see anything triumphal. Dobbs does try to draw out some satisfaction, but he seems to be trying too hard. Anyway, it is a jolly fine read. Dobbs knows how to plot a narrative and even though this 4th book relies more than the earlier ones on the argumentation of the three protagonists, he knows how to find the balance to keep the story moving. Highly recommend the series.
June 28, 2020
This is the last book in the Churchill series by Michael Dobbs. Another enjoyable read. The book is mainly set in Yalta during the final phase of WWII in Europe. Stalin as leader of USSR has been getting all the support he needs to push Germany back into its own borders. As the USSR eats up the miles toward Berlin, the Iron Curtain begins to fall and Poland is "liberated" in the process. The novel does a great job of showing how strong and cunning Stalin was in his dealings with Churchill and Roosevelt. The seeds of a United Nations Organization cost the Brits, the Americans, Poland and Eastern European countries dearly and unfortunately they "blinked first" while Stalin laughed last.
October 19, 2018
I love Michael Dobbs. His historical fiction novels are exemplary in their exploration and explanation of times and events that were so important for world history but can never be repeated. His Yalta conference setting makes me feel like I'm right there, cringing at what the outcome might mean. I read this out of sequence because I couldn't find print copies of the rest of the series. I can't wait to put it in context now.
November 8, 2018
Overall this book has been amazing. The way Michael Dobbs creates an interesting story while still sticking to the true events in history is remarkable. However, the story does drag on in parts by staying in Churchill's thoughts. Also, some characters seem redundant to the overall plot of the story. But other than that it is a great read and would recommend for all.
January 23, 2021
My least favorite of Dobb's Churchill series, I still give it five stars. The depiction of the Yalta Conference is well-done. Dobb's effectively conveys Churchill's disillusionment and the anticlimactic atmosphere so well that I don't know if my dissatisfaction with this work is due to the book itself or the sense of frustration it provokes in me.
June 15, 2021
Michael Dobbs is a genius!
This is the third book I have read by Michael Dobbs on WWII and Winston Churchill and I am blown away by his writing ! In every book I feel like I was actually there during these events, they come to life magnificently !
I intend to read every book he has written!
Thank you Mr DOBBS !
This is the third book I have read by Michael Dobbs on WWII and Winston Churchill and I am blown away by his writing ! In every book I feel like I was actually there during these events, they come to life magnificently !
I intend to read every book he has written!
Thank you Mr DOBBS !
September 22, 2024
Brilliant and insightful view into how things may have occurred at that so tide-turning event in Yalta. Fresh writing style with that droll and quick British wit that helps to momentarily distract from war horrors.
January 18, 2019
It's a good fictional view to the condition during world war II.
September 28, 2019
Good read for someone who wants the main idea of what happened at the Yalta Conference tied into a fictional story line.
January 16, 2020
Well written.... fantastic research and knowledge of the three main protagonists at Yalta.
Want to read
February 11, 2020Dennis
February 26, 2021
Well worth it.
April 30, 2021
The scene is the Yalta Conference. Historically the novel is very accurate. The dialogue is convincing. The fictional elements are plausible. Considering what happened next, the title is ironical.
May 29, 2021
Fictional account of might have happened when the three powers met a Yalta. It just dragged on a bit towards then end.
June 9, 2021
The last in the series and just as excellent. A 450 page novel about a week long conference in the Crimea doesn't sound riveting, but it is.
December 27, 2021
I finally got around to finishing the Michael Dobbs’ Winston Churchill series. I was highly impressed with the first three books but sadly the final book fell flat in my opinion.
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